LE3 .A278 2022

2022

Hayes, Joseph

Acadia University

Master of Science

Masters

Psychology

Psychology

Cannabis users report reduced anxiety from cannabis use. Two studies sought to test if merely thinking about cannabis would reduce anxiety by activating approach motivation. Participants were 480 (Study 1) and 551 (Study 2) people living in Canada or the United States who completed the study materials online. Both studies examined the effect of cannabis reward cuing versus wealth reward and non-reward (neutral) cuing on anxiety. Both studies examined moderating effects of punishment sensitivity (BIS) and cannabis worldview investment (CWI), and the mediating role of reward-approach motivation. Study 1 showed that cannabis (vs. neutral) cuing reduced self-reported anxiety, but only among participants high in punishment sensitivity. Contrary to hypotheses, reward-approach mechanisms were not responsible for this effect. Rather, heightened approach motivation was found to increase anxiety rather than reduce it. Study 2 aimed to manipulate anxiety but found no effect. However, the pattern observed in Study 1 was fully replicated. Implications for understanding the role of approach motivation in anxiety-related processes related to cannabis use are discussed.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3732